La Liga: Getafe 0 – 1 Atlético

Fernando Torres scores goal 101 as Atleti take three points from the Coliseum

A single goal from Fernando Torres was enough to secure all three points for Atlético Madrid on Sunday as they squeezed out a 1-0 victory over Getafe.

Needing the points to regain second place after a Real Madrid win yesterday, Simeone’s side are under pressure to keep winning in order to keep up the chase with Barcelona.

Fernando Torres got the nod to start up-front alongside Antoine Griezmann instead of both Luciano Vietto and Ángel Correa, after the Spaniard secured his 100th goal in the colours of Atlético Madrid last weekend at Eibar.

And while it may have taken what seems like an eternity to get to goal number 100 for Atlético, Fernando Torres had number 101 within a minute of kick-off at the Coliseum Alfono Pérez.

Yannick Ferreira Carrasco, starting despite doubts about his fitness, managed to pick up the ball on the left flank before whipping in an outstanding ball across the Getafe defence. It travelled the entire width of the box before it fell to a waiting Fernando Torres, who slotted the ball into the back of the net with minimal fuss. 1-0 to Atlético.

Just a couple of minutes later and the smiles had faded for Atleti. Gabi was taken down after a hard challenge that saw him take a kick to the achilles. Simeone sent both Kranevitter and Óliver to warm up in case Gabi joined Atleti’s ever-growing injury list, but the captain returned as if nothing had happened.

Getafe had an opportunity to equalise after Godín was wrong fotted on the wing. Sarabi’s shot was tipped wide for a corner by Jan Oblak, who extended his contract with Atleti this week until 2021.

Fernando Torres had the chance for number 102 with thirteen minutes gone, but volleyed a shot well wide of the post after a lovely lobbed through ball from Gabi, much to the amusement of the home fans.

The rest of the first half passed with very little concrete chances for either side. Sarabia should have gone into the book for dragging his foot down Gabi’s achilles or two occassions, whereas Koke was handed a yellow card for getting some revenge on the Spaniard.

The worst news of the match came just six minutes after half-time. Tracking back to stop a cross from the right-hand flank, Carrasco got his foot in front of the ball in, but the force of the cross sent his foot the wrong way, and the Belgian came down hard on his right ankle.

The creator of Atleti’s first goal limped off and around the pitch before he was replaced by Óliver Torres. Atleti later confirmed it was a sprained ankle for the summer signing.

Fernando Torres made way in the 65th minute for Atlético, and was replaced by Matías Kranevitter for his league debut for Atlético.

Atleti failed to dominate the second half as much as they had controlled the first. There were still little opportunities for Getafe, but Atleti seemed reluctant to push forward and grab the second goal.

Kranevitter came on to bolster the midfield, leaving Griezmann alone up-front to secure the game for Atlético. The Frenchman had struggled to perform to his usual standards.

The stadium grew louder as the game drew to a close. With little over 100 Atlético fans in the stadium it was an extremely biased crowd. The home side began to turn the screw as the game ticked down into the final ten minutes, setting up a nervy end to the game for Atleti.

Ángel Correa replaced the disappointing Griezmann, but could do little to reignite the Atlético attack.

The best chance of the game came two minutes into stoppage time, and showed just how much Ángel Correa has to learn before he is to fulfil his massive potential.

Clean through on goal with no defenders around him, Correa slowed up and tried to square the ball to a waiting Saúl, but the ball was cut out by the Getafe defender.

All the youngster had to do was pick his spot and put his foot through it, but a moment of unselfishness could have been more costly had it not been in stoppage time.

The referee blew his whistle for full-time, and Atlético Madrid move back into second place, level on points with Barcelona who play later on Sunday.